Madrid, June 29 (IANS): Valencia central defender Shkrodran Mustafi has thrown his hat into the ring to be a possible replacement for Sergio Ramos should the Spain international leave Real Madrid this summer.

Ramos has reportedly asked Real to listen to offers for him and the leading football club is casting its eyes around for other stoppers. They are reportedly interested in Arsenal's Laurent Koscienly and Mustafi's clubmate Nicolas Otamendi, but now according to the German international, Real are interested in him as well, reports Xinhua.

"At the moment I am on holiday, but you have to be happy if Real Madrid are interested in you," he said on Sunday.

"This is the result of hard work," he added, before his father was more explicit on the matter.

"There has been telephone contact over the matter and some of those conversations were during last season," said Kujtim Mustafi.

Finally the players agent Ali Bulut said in German newspaper 'Bild' that "there have been direct enquiries from Real Madrid, but no further negotiations".

Bulut also said Barcelona had shown an interest in the German international last winter, but looked to cool things down when he added, "Mustafi has a good contract with Valencia, who are a great club and for him to leave, everything would have to be perfect".

Meanwhile on Sunday Valencia announced the appointment of former Everton and Manchester United assistant coach Phil Neville as assistant to Nuno Gomez.

Gomez highlighted Neville's experience as a player and a coach and said he was sure the former England international could "help the club a lot."